As the semester winds down and finals are just around the corner, students across campus are gearing up to head home for the holidays. However, before we can all kick back and fully embrace the winter season, there are assignments to be submitted, papers to be written and exams to be taken. Through all this hustle and bustle, it will be important to stay properly fueled and well-rested to execute matters successfully and end the year on a high note.
Amidst the chaos, it can be difficult to find the time to meal prep, leading many to grab whatever is available or skip meals altogether. To avoid such things, it can be helpful to apply simple techniques and use what is on hand to create a quick, but delicious meal. Whether you’re in need of a quick snack or a sweet treat, the following recipes are sure to satisfy.
For all the pizza enthusiasts, the first dish is a triumph: Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread. To begin, cut store-bought pizza dough into around 22 bite-sized pieces, and place a mozzarella cheese cube in the middle of each. Then roll the bundles into a ball and brush with an egg wash composed of water and one large egg.
Once assembled into the shape of a Christmas tree, bake the dough until golden brown and garnish with Italian seasoning, fresh parsley and melted butter. The final product can be served with marinara sauce.
Although this savory appetizer was quite tasty, it was lacking some flavor and a particular je ne sais quoi. Adding a protein source, like pepperoni or ham, or using multiple cheeses in the dough balls would be a great solution. It may also be worthwhile to add other seasonings prior to baking to create a more prominent flavor.
The next winter-inspired dish is a festive charcuterie board, fitting for the average lazy college student. Because this recipe requires minimal preparation, it can be altered to the preferences of the chef, enabling a variety of ingredients to be used.
Assemble the plate using various fruits, namely oranges, strawberries and blueberries, mozzarella cheese, cashews, salami and ham. A strawberry jalapeño jam can also be added along with some pita crackers, to be paired with the other ingredients.
This recipe has the perfect ratio of each ingredient and enables one to mix and match things to their liking. Overall, the simplicity of this dish is ultimately what makes it so versatile and easy to create, which secures its success as a nutritious study snack.
The final recipe, known as Reindeer Chow, combines puppy chow, M&M’s, peanut butter cups and pretzels for a sweet treat that’s sure to be loved by all! Although it’s slightly messy, it can be prepared in little time, yielding a dessert that’s minimal effort and high reward.
To make the Reindeer Chow, melt together puppy chow, peanut butter, chocolate chips and butter until smooth, and then add a dash of vanilla extract. This chocolatey liquid is poured over Chex rice cereal and mixed thoroughly.
Next, add powdered sugar and mix all the contents, so the cereal is completely coated. Finally, pretzels, M&M’s and the peanut butter cups were combined with the cereal mixture to result in the final product, a sugary sweet goodness.
This Reindeer Chow is the ultimate balance between salty and sweet; the pretzels offset the chocolatiness of the other ingredients and compliment the peanut butter beautifully. The items in this recipe are interchangeable and can be swapped to fulfill one’s personal desires as well, which creates much flexibility.
Overall, these recipes are a great and efficient way to satisfy your stomach as we head into finals. They are also sure to provide a sense of holiday cheer and increase excitement for the upcoming holiday season!